Sheet handling apparatus



Feb. 14, 1939. L JONES 2,147,099

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May l2, 1936 l 5 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 14,1939. L. JONES 2,147,099

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS i l Filed May l2, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F (ggmc/wwf,

5W/' JONES Feb. 14, 1939. L, JONES 2,147,099

SHEET HANDLING APPARATUS Filed May 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 GAMMA/1,1

Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE 2,147,099 SHEETHANDLING ArrAnATUs Lcwis'JonesI Youngstown, Ohio Application May 12,1936, Serial No. 79,319

19 claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for handling metal sheets, and moreparticularly to an apparatus for lifting and transferring single sheetsfrom a sheet pack to a feed table or the like for the performance of anydesired operations on the sheets.

At present, considerable diiculty is experienced in handling the largesheets of sheet packs due to the weight and size of the sheet, thesheets commonly being handled by hand. In such handling of the sheets itis extremely difficult to prevent the scratching and marring of thefinished surfaces of the sheets, and the surface imperfections thuscaused are visible on the iinished articles into which the sheets aremade.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel sheethandling apparatus for lifting single sheets from a pack andtransferring them to a feed table or any other desired point.

A further object is to provide a novel apparatus of the characterreferred to wherein the sheetis lifted from the pack and supported onfreely rotatable rollers to permit the sheet to be moved without marringeither surface thereof.

A further object is to provide novel means for lifting one edge of asheet to permit movement of the supporting rollers into position beneaththe sheet. v

A further object is to provide novel means for effecting movement of thesheet while it is supported on the rollers.

A further object is to provide novel meansfor effecting the successiveoperations of the apparatus, namely, the lifting of one edge of thesheet, the movement of the supporting rollers beneath the sheet, and themovement of the sheet to the desired point while it is supported on therollers. A further object is to provide a novel vacuum cup mechanism forlifting one edge of a sheet 40 from a pack to facilitate the movement ofthe supporting rollers beneath the sheet, and to provide means foropening the vacuum cups to the atmosphere to release the sheet to permitfree movement thereof on the supporting rollers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent'during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In thisshowing:

Figure l isa plan view of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is a detail vertical sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View on line 4-4 of Figure1,

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional vie on line 5-5 of Figure 4,

-Figure 6 is ay similar view on line 8 8 of Flg- 5 ure 4, and,

Figure 'I is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical systemadapted for use in connection with the apparatus.

Referring, to the drawings, the numeral III 10 designates a pair ofvertical parallel side frame members forming the main supporting meansfor the apparatus. Adjacent their ends, the side frames rotatablysupport a pair of shafts II and I2 each provided with apair of sprocketsindi- 15 cated respectively by the numerals I3 and I4. A pair of chainsI5 pass around the pairs of sprockets, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and4.

'I'he chains I5 have certain links thereof provided with projectingbearing lugs I6 and each 20 opposite pair of lugs I8 supports a shaftI'I, as shown in Figure 5. Each of these shafts is provided between thechains I5 with a supporting roller I8 freely rotatable with respect tothe shaft by means of anti-friction bearings I9. Each shaft I'I carriesa roller 20 at each end thereof, and each roller is supported for freerotation by an` anti-friction bearing 2I. The side frame members I0 areprovided at their upper and lower edges with flanges 22 over which therollers 20 30 travel to support the upper and lower runs of the 'chainI5 between the pairs of sprockets. 'Ihe anges 22 preferably extendbetween and terminate at the vertical planes of the-shafts II and l2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the numeral 23 indicates a motor which isemployed for driving the chains I5. This motor may be mounted on asuitable bracket 24 secured to one of the side frame members I0. Themotor is provided with suitable speed reduction drive means for drivingthe shaft I2. In the present instance, the motor has been indicated asincluding a speed reduction unit 25 of conventional type.

As will become apparent, the rollers I8 are emv45 ployed for supportingthe upper sheet of a pack, and in Figure 4 a sheet pack 26 has beenindicated as being supported by suitable cross members 21 and arrangedbetween rails 28. The side frame members are provided with anged wheels29 50 adapted to travel on the rails 28, and accordingly it will beapparent that after a sheet pack has been placed in position between therails, the apparatus as a whole may be moved along the rails to theposition shown in Figure 4.

. the uppermost sheet of the pack tovpermit the successive rollers I8 totravel beneath such sheet and support it for relatively frictionlessmovement over the rolls. Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the numeral 30designates a relatively heavy crossbar having a crosshead 3| at each endthereof mounted for vertical movement in suitableguides 32. The crossbar3l) is provided with a pair of depending tubular members 33 at the lowerend of each of which is secured a vacuum cup 34. Each tubular member 33is provided above its associated vacuum cup with atmospheric openings35. The lower end of each tubular member is provided with a valve seat36- normally engaged by a valve 31 urged upwardly to closed position bya spring 38. This spring surrounds a valve stem 39 which extendsupwardly above the crossbar 30 through an opening 40 formed therein.

Above each valve stem 39 a solenoid 4| is supported on the crossbar 30by a suitable bracket `42. Each solenoid 4| is provided with an armature43 which has a depending non-magnetic `stem 44 adapted to engage thevalve stem 39 to open thevalve 31 upon energization of the solenoid. Thepurpose and operation of' this mechanism will be referred toin detaillater.

A shaft 45 extends transversely between the side frame members and issuitably journaled at its ends therein. This shaft carries a pair ofrocker arms 46 each of which is slotted atits end as at 41 to receivethe crossbar 30. Accordingly it will be apparent that rocking movementof the arms 46 is adapted to effect vertical movement of the crossbar 30and the elements connected thereto.

An arm 48 is carried by the shaft 45 as shown in Figures 1 and 4 andthis arm is engaged by a cam 49 mounted upon a shaft 59 having its endsjournaled in the side frame members. The high point 5| of the cam 49normally supports the arms 46 in the position shown in Figure 4, and thethrow of the cam is such that the low point 52 thereof will'permit thearms 46 to move downwardly to a sufficient extent to permit the vacuumcups 34 to engage the lowermost sheet of the pack 26. 'Ihe shaft `5|)extends through one of the side frames l0 and is driven by a motor 53through the medium of a conventional speed reducing gearing 54.

Under conditions to be referred to, the successive rollers |8 movebeneath the uppermost sheet of the pack after one end thereof has beenlifted by the vacuum cups 34 to the position shown in Figure 4. Meansare provided for feeding from the apparatus the sheet supported upon therollers I8 after they have been moved to the positions referred to.Referring to Figure 4 the numeral 55 designates a roller mounted upon ashaft 56 and covered by a relatively thick rubber or similar softdeformable jacket 51. The shaft 56 is connected adjacent the inner facesof the side frames IIJ to one end of a pair of arms 58 having theirother ends pivotally supported by a shaft 59. One end of the shaft 56extends through one of the side frame members |0 and is provided with asprocket 60. The side frame member I0 adjacent the sprocket 60 isprovided with an arcuate opening 6|, as indicated in The opening bracket62 carried by the adjacent frame member |l| to limit the downwardmovement of these arms substantially to the position shown in Figure 4'.A spring 63 urges each of the arms 58 downwardly, each spring engaging aspring seat 64 carried bythe adjacent arm 58 vand being seated at itsupper end against a bracket 65 secured to the adjacent side frame'member I0. It will be apparent that the springs 63 urge the rubberjacket 51 of the roller 55 into engagement with a sheet supported uponthe rollers |8 and the roller is positively drivenv to move the sheettoward the left as viewed in Figure 4. A chain 66 passes around thesprocket 60 and around a sprocket 61 mounted on the shaft 59, as shownin Figure 1. A motor 68 drives the shaft 59 through'a conventional speedreducing gearing carried by the shaft 59. The sprockets 60 and 61 areequal in size respectively to the sprockets 13 and 15 and thecircumference of the rubber jacket 51 is equal tov that of the rubberjacket The linear speeds of the rubber jacketed rollers referred toaccordingly will be identical. A second roller 16 is arranged beneaththe roller 10 and is supported bya transverse shaft 11. 'I'his roller islikewise rubber jacketed as at 18, and the rubber jacketed rollers 10and 16 accordingly act as pinch rolls to engage the sheet and move itlongitudinally from the apparatus.

The rubber jackets 12 and 18 may be thick enough to permit them to bedeformed to a sufficient extent to accommodate sheets of varyingthicknesses. It is preferred however, that one of the pair of rollers bemounted so as to permit it to partake of slight movement away from theother roller. -Accordingly the roller 10 is indicatedfas being supportedby a pair of larms 19 pivotally connected to the side frame members aslat and urged downwardly by` springs 8| seating at their upper endsagainst brackets 82. The shaft 1| extends through an opening in the sideframe member I0 adjacent the sprocket12, this opening being slightlyelongated similar to the opening 6| and arranged concentric to the pivotaxis of the arms 19. In View of the length of the chain 14 and the veryslight movement of the roller 10, the chain 14 will not be undulyslacked or tightened upon movement of the rollerV 10.

The apparatus may be provided with guides to insure the entrance of-theadvancing edge of a sheet between the roubber jacketed rollers 10 and16. Referring to Figures 4 and 6 the numeral 83 designates a pair ofguides secured to the respective side frame members I and extendinginwardly therefrom. These guide members curve upwardly toward the pinchrolls as shown in Figure 4. A pair of upper guides 84 may be similarlyconnected to the respective side frame members and arranged as shown inFigure 4, the two pairs of guides insuring the entrance of the advancingend of asheet between the pinch parts of the apparatus to be described.These circuits include switches several of which are operatedby themovement of the chains l5 and by the upward movement oi' one of thesheets as it is elevated from the pack. In Figure 1 oi the drawings twopivoted arms and 85 are supported by the adjacent sideirame members andconstitute switch arms for closing lcircuits to .be described. `Each ofthesearms is provided with a roller 81 engageable with the uppermostsheet of the pack as it is elevated by the vacuumcups. These rollers arepreferably formed of rubber to prevent any injury to the surface of thesheet. A similar switch arm 88 is arranged beyond the end of theapparatus as shown in Figures 1 and 4, and such switch arm also isprovided with a rubberroller 89 adapted to contact with the successivesheets. A pair of switch arms also is adapted to be operated by one ofthe chains vI5. As shown in Figure 4, a limit switch is secured to oneof the side frames and provided with a switch arm 9| engageable by a pin92 (see Figure 5) carried by one of the chains l5. The switch arm 9| isarranged in a position to be operated when the pin 92 is in the lowerrun of the chain. A similar limit switch 93 is provided with a switcharm -94 likewise adapted to be operated by the pin 92 when the latter isin the upper run oi the chain. Another switch is carried by one of theside frame members and is pro- Vvided with a depending pin 95 adapted tobe operated by a cam 91 carried by the shaft 50.

An electrical system for the apparatus is illustrated diagrammaticallyin Figure 'l of the drawings. A pair of line wires 98 and 99 areconnected to a suitable source of current. The wire 98 is connected to apush button switch |00 movable into engagement with a contact |0| towhich is connected one end of a wire |02. Ahead of the switch |00, awire |03 has one end connected to the line wire 98. A magnet switch isadapted to be operated upon the closing of the switch |00. As shown, themagnet switch includes a magnet |04 having an armature |05 movableupwardly to engage a pair of contacts |05 and |01. The contact |0| isconnected to one terminal of the magnet |04 by a wire |08, anda wire |09is tapped into this wire and leads to the contact |05. 'Ihe otherterminal of the magnet |04 is connected by a wire ||0 to one terminal ofthe motor 53.

The switch 95 includes a switch arm operative by the stem 95. The switcharm is respectively engageable with contacts ||2 and H3, the latterbeing connected to thecontact |01 as at ||4. In the normal position ofthe parts, the cam 91 maintains the switch arm in engagement with thecontact ||2, and upon initial rotation ofthe cam in a counter-clockwisedirection, the stem 95 drops the switch arm into engagementI with thecontact II3. The contact ||2 is connected to one terminal of the motor23 by al wire ||5. Current is supplied to the switch arm by a wire ||5tapped into the line wire 98. 'I'he motor 23 is not energized merelybecause the switch arm is in engagement with the contact II2, thecircuit to the motor 23 being completed only through other circuitelements to be described and controlling the passage oi current througha wire ||5' connected to the second terminal of the motor 23.

One terminal of the motor 58 is connected-to the line wire 98 by a wirev| I1 and the other terminal of this motor is connected by a wire ||8 toone terminal of a magnet H9. The other terminal of this magnet isconnected by a wire |20 to a common wire |2| connected at its ends tothe switch arms 85 and 88. These switches are respectively movable intoengagement with contacts |22 and |23 connected in parallel by a wire |24and this wire also leads to a contact |25.

' The switch-arml 94 is biased to a position in engagement with acontact |25 connected to one end of a wire |21. The other end of thiswire is connected to the switch arm 9|. 94 carries a switch element |28insulated therefrom and engageable with the contact |25 and w'th asecond contact |29. 'I'he latter contact islonnected to the line wire 99as at |30. The swi ch arm 94 also carries a second switch element |3|insulated therefrom and connected to 'Ihe switch arm the wire |21 as at|32.V The switch element |3| is movable into engagement with a contact|33 connected to one end of a wire |34.

The switch arm 94, as previously stated, is operated by movement of thechains l5 and normally engages the contact |25. A wire |35 'connects theswitch arm 94 to a'contact |35 which is engageable by the switch arm 85,and this switch arm is connected to the line wire 99 as at Amagnet |38has vone of its terminals connected to the wire |34. The other terminalof this magnet is connected by a wire |39 to the armature |40 of themagnet ||9. The armature |40 constitutes a switch arm normally engaginga `contact |4| connected by a wire |42 to the line wire 99;

The magnet |38 is provided with an armature |43 forming a switch armmovable upon energzation of the magnet into engagement with a pair ofcontacts |44 and |45, the latter being connected as at |45 to the wire|34. The contact |44` is connected by a wire |41 to a contact |48. 'Iheswitch arm 9| is biased toward engagement with the contact |48 and isheld out of engagement with such contact in the starting position of theapparatus, as shown in Figure '7.

As will become apparent, the switch |00 may be closed to -initiate theoperation of the apparatus and to cause it to completely carry out itscycle of operation. Upon completion of the cycle of operation, theapparatus will then stop pending further manual operation of the switch|00. If desired, the apparatus may be provided with circuit means forcausing it to continuously repeat its cycle of operation. The wires |03and |02 are employed for this purpose and are respectively connected toa contact |49 and to a switch'element |50 carried by and insulated fromthe switch 9|. A manually operable control switch |5I is arranged in thewire |03, as shown.

The windings of the magnets 4| are connected in parallel by wires |52and |53, these wires being shown as being connected to one of themagnets 4| while the other magnet has its terminals respectivelyconnected with the two wires referred to, as at |54 and |55. The wires|52 and |53 .are respectively connected to the wires |8 and ||1 andaccordingly the magnet-circuits are in parallel with the circuit of themotor 58.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The parts of the apparatus are initially in the position shown in Figure4, the switch operating pin 92 being in the bottom of the run of this .fchain as shown in Figure 5, engaging the switch arm 9| and holding it inthe position shown in Figure '7. A pack of sheets is placed in positionbetween the rails 28 adjacent a work table or similar apparatus to whichthe sheets are delivered. The present apparatus is then rolled along therails to the position shown in Figure 4, whereupon the apparatus isready for operation.

:ail

Disregarding the circuit including the wires |02 and |03 and assumingthe switch |5| to be open, the circuit through themotor 53 'will bebroken since the switches |00 and |05 are open. Several circuits areprovided for the motor 23, such circuits being closed under differentconditions to be referred to, and al1 of these circuits are broken atone or more points inthe starting position of the parts of theapparatus. For example, in the absence of a sheet engaging the roller81, the switch will be open, and the switch arm 9| is being held out ofengagement with the contact |48. Likewise the circuit through the motor68 is broken since the two switches 86 and 88 are both in open position.

The operation of the apparatus is initiated by closing the push buttonswitch |00 and holding it closed for a few seconds. Upon the closing ofthis switch, the circuit through the motor 53 will be closed through theswitch |00 and magnet |04, the latter being in series with the motor 53.This motor will start to run and will rotate the switch operating cam 91and the cam 49 which controls the arms 46. Only afshort interval of timeis required for the high point of the cam 91 to pass from beneath thepin 96 whereupon the switch drops into contact with the contact H3, theswitch arm obviously moving out of engagement with the contact ||2.

Energization of the magnet |04 will have attracted its armature |05,whereupon a holding circuit will be provided for the motor 53 throughwire ||6, switch wire ||4, contacts |06 and |01 and wire |09.Immediately upon the dropping of the switch arm I, therefore, the pushbutton 'switch |00 may be released and the motor 53 will continue tooperate.

The motor 53 rotates the cam 49 and the high point of this cam passesfrom beneath the arm 48, thus permitting the arms 46 -to movedownwardly. Such movement of the arms 46 is perm'tted to take placefreely until the vacuum cups 34 engage the upper sheet of the pack andthe weights of the arms 46, cross bar 30, etc., combine to providesufficient downward force to expel a substantial amount of air from thevacuum cups 34. This expulsion of air causes the creation of asufiicient vacuum upon the subsequent lifting of the arms 46 to causethe vacuum cups to pick up the adjacent end of the upper sheet, as shownin Figure 4.

After downward movement of the arms 46 is stopped by contact of thevacuum cups with the top sheet of the pack, the cam 49 will continue torevolve and, of course, will move out of contact with the arm 48. Aspreviously stated, the throw of the camV 49 is sucient to permit thearms 46 to move downwardly the necessary distance in order that thevacuum cups may engage the lowermost sheet of the pack after all of theremaining sheets have been removed. Upon the continued operation of thecam 49, this cam will engage the arm 48 and move it upwardly, the vacuumcups elevating the adjacent end of the sheet in the manner previouslystated.

The arms 46 are moved upwardly to their normal position, as shown inFigure 4, at which time the cam 91 will operate the switch to disconnectit from the contact ||3 and move it into engagement with the contact||2. The holding circuit for the magnet |04 thereupon will be broken,the motor 53 stopping, while the armature |05 drops to its normalposition as shown in Figure '1:

While the switch was in its lower position out of engagement with thecontact ||2, the vacuum cups will have been operating to lift the uppersheet of the pack, and the elevated portion of the sheet will contactwith'the rollers of both of the switch arms 85 and 86, thus moving theseswitch arms into engagement with their respective contacts |36 and |22;When the vacuum cups reach their upper position and the switch armengages the contact ||2,` a circuit will be established, therefore,through the motor 23, the circuit including wires ||5' and |21, contact|26 and switch arm 94, wire |35, contact |36,switch arm 85 and wire |31.

As the motor 53 ceases to operate, therefore, the motor 23 will commenceto operate to drive the chains I5 in the direction of the arrow shown inFigure 4,` The advancing roller |8 will pass beneath the elevatedportion of the upper sheet of the pack and will continue to move beneathsuch sheet to progressively elevate it from the left hand end of thesheet to the right hand end thereof as viewed in Figure 4. Thesuccessive rollers |8 will pass beneath the sheet and thus the latterwill be effectively supported. Initial operation of .the chains 5 fromthe position shown in Figure '1 will have caused the pin 92 to releasethe switch 9| to permit the latter to move into engagement with thecontact |48. No circuit will be closed under such conditions, however,since the circuit including the contact will be broken across thecontacts |44 and The chains will continue to operate until the rollers|8 are all positioned beneath the top sheet of the pack and when thisposition is reached, the switch operating pin 92 -will engage the switcharm 94 to move it out of engagement with its contact |26. At the sametime the switch element |3| will engage the contact 33, while the switchelement |28 will engage the contacts |25 and |29. The previouslydescribed circuit of the motor 23 thereupon will be broken at thecontact |26, and accordingly this motor will be deenergized and thechains |5 will stop with the pin 92 holding the switch arm 94 in theposition just described.

At the instant the switch arm 94 swings to the position in which theswitch element |3| engages the contact |33, a circuit will be apparentlymomentarily completed through the motor 23. such circuit including theswitch element |3| contact |33, wire |34, magnet |38, wire |39, armature|40 and wire |42. At the instant of the closing of such circuit,however, the circuit will be closed through the motor 68, through wires||1 and ||8, magnet ||9, wires |20 and |2|, switch 86 (such switchhaving been closed upon initial elevation of the sheet) wire |24,contact |25, switch element |28, contact |29 and wire |30. This circuitincludes the magnet ||9, and at the instant the circuit is completedthrough the armature 40, the magnet ||9 will attract this armature andwill hold it out of engagement with the contact |4| throughout theoperation of the motor 68. The movement of the switch arm 94 by the pin92, therefore, will break the previous circuit through the motor 23 atthe contact |26 and will prevent the reclosing of a circuit through thismotor by opening the switch |40.

Accordingly the motor 23 will go out of operation when all of. therollers |8 are positioned beneath the top sheet, and the motor 68 willoperate to remove the sheet as it stands upon the rollers. Moreover, atthe instant the circuit through the motor 68 is completed, air isadmitted into the vacuum cups to release the' elevatedl sheet. It willbe noted that the circuits of the solenoids 4IA are in parallel witheach other and'with the moto'r 68. At the instant this `motor isenergized, therefore, the armatures 43 of the solenoids 4| will be moveddownwardly and the stems 44 will engagethe valve stems 39, whereupon thevalves 31 will open to connect the vacuum cups to the atmosphere throughports 35. 'I'hus the vacuum cupwill release the. sheet and it will besupported uponthe freely rotatable rollers I8.

In this connection it will be noted that the frictional resistance tothe turning movement of the rollers is reduced to a minimum by the useof the bearings which support vthe rollers on the shafts I1, and thatresistance to the movement of the rollers is reduced bythe mounting ofthese rollers on the shafts I1. In the operation ofthe apparatus therollers I8 and 20 rotate in opposite directions, and such operation ispermitted freely to take place with the arrangement referred to.

The motor 68 drives the shaft 59, and this shaft in turn drives theshafts 56 and 1|. When the rollers I8 are arranged in position beneath.a sheet to support it above the pack, one of the rollers I8 will bearranged directly beneath the rubber jacketed roller 55, thus supportingthe `sheet against this roller, and rotation thereof will start thesheet moving to the left as viewed in Figure 4. The advancing edge of,the sheet will pass between the rubber jacketed pinch rolls- Aratus to afeed table or the like ready for the perfomance of subsequent operationson the sheet.

It will be apparent that the switches 86 and 88 are connected inparallel, and either or both of these vswitches will maintain thecircuit through the motor 68 closed so long as the switch element |28 isin 4engagement with the contacts and |29. The switch arm 86 is elevatedupon the initial raising -of one end of the sheet by the vacuum cupsand-is held in upper position by the sheet until the right hand end ofthe sheet, as viewed in Figure 4, passes from beneath this switch arm.In the meantime, however, the advancing end of the sheet will haveelevated the switch arm 88 into engagement with the contact |23, and thedropping of the arm' 86 following the passing of the sheet therebeyondwill not affect the circuit through the motor 68. However, the passingof the sheetcompletely from the apparatus will permit the arm 88 to dropand move out of engagement with the contact '|23, and both parallelcircuits for the motor 68 thus will be broken and the motor willpromptly stop.

Since the circuit for the motor 68 includes the magnet II9,deenerglzation of the motor circuit will drop the armature intoengagement with the contact |4I. This action again energizes the motor23, which drives the chains I5, the circuit from the motor 23 under suchconditions inthe contact |33. Upon relatively slight movement of thechains, the pin 32 will release the switch tion shown in Figure 7, butthis movement does not affect the operation of the motor 23. Under theconditions being considered, the switch larm 9| will be inengagementwith the contact |48 and immediately upon the energization ofthe magnet |38 in the manner previously described, a parallel holdingcircuit will be provided for the motor 23, such circuit including wiresII5' and |21, switch 9| and contact |48, wire |41, contact |44, armature|43, contact |45, wire |46, and thence back'to the source through theformerly completed path comprising the magnet |38, wire |39, etc.Accordingly it will be apparent that upon energization of the lmagnet|38, a second and parallel circuit is closed through this magnet toprovide aholding circuit for the motor 23. This circuit is maintainedclosed until the parts are restored to the normal position shown inFigure 4, at which point the pin 92 will again engage the arm 9| to moveit out of engagement with the contact |48. Both circuits for themagnet|38 will then be broken and the armature |43will drop to the normalposition shown in Figure 7. All three motors willnow be deenergized andall of the parts will be in their original starting positions.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the complete cycle ofoperation may be carried outV merely by momentarily closing the switch|00, all of the successive functions of the apparatus being properlytimed and automatically carried out to the completion of the cycle ofoperation. When the latter point is reached all of the parts are in theproper initial starting positions, whereupon the next cycle of operationmay. be initiated by momentarily closing the switch |00. If desired,successive operations may be automatically vperformed without any manualcontrol by the operator, and suchoperation is provided merely by closingthe switch |5| and leaving it in closed position. This switch controls acircuit which is in parallel with the push button switch |00 and isdependent for its closing upon the presence of the switch operating pin92 in its starting position shown in Figure 7. In other words, when acycle of operation is completed the pin 92 returns to the position shownin Figure? and moves the switch arm 9| to bring the switch element |50into engagement with the contact |49, thus closing a shunt circuitaround the push button switch |00 to initiate the operation of theapparatus. The pin 92 will not release the limit switch 9| until afterthe switch stem 96 has dropped from the high point of the cam 91, whichoperation provides a holding circuitfor the motor 53 to cause the latterto complete its operation in the manner previously described. After suchholding circuit is closed, the switch 9| returns to its normal positionand remains in such position until the entire cycle of operation of theapparatus has been completed. y

The present apparatus therefore provides mechanical means for handlingthe nished sheets of a pack to prevent' them from being marred orscratched, thus preventing the spoiling of the nished articles made fromthe sheet. The vacuum cups 34, the coverings of. the rollers 55, 10 and16 and the rollers of the switches 85, 86 and v88 are all formed ofrubber or other soft material and these elements contact with the sheetwithout any sliding contact which would mar the sheet,

Cil

and accordingly the sheets are delivered to the feed table in perfectand undamaged condition.

' It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shownand described is to be extremity approximately at the plane of the uppersurface of a sheet supported lon said supporting means and engaging thesheet, and means for rotating'said feed roll.

2. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an endportion of a sheet to elevate it, supporting means movable horizontallybeneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, a feed roll arrangedwith its lower extremity approximately at the plane of the upper surfaceof a sheet supported on said supporting means and engaging the sheet, apair of pinch rolls engageable with the advancing edge of the sheet, andmeans for rotating said' feed roll and said pinch rolls at equalperipheral speeds.

3. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an endportion of a sheet to elevate it, a plurality of freely rotatablesupporting rollers connected together for bodily movement in parallelrelationship, means for moving said rollers beneath the sheet from theelevated end thereof, and meansactuableindependently of said last namedmeans for effecting horizontal movement of the sheet supported on saidrollers.

`4. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an endportion of a sheet to elevate it, a plurality of freely rotatablesupporting rollers connected together for bodily movement in parallelrelationship, means for moving said rollers beneath the sheet from theelevated end thereof, and feed roll means engageable with the sheetsupported on said rolls for effecting horizontal movement of the sheet.

5. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an endportion ofa sheet to elevate it, a plurality of freely rotatablesupporting rollers connected together for bodily movement in parallelrelationship, means for moving said rollers beneath the sheet from ther" elevated end thereof, a feed roll having its botto elevate it, aplurality of freely rotatable supporting rollers connected together forbodily movement in parallel relationship,. means for moving said rollersbeneath the sheet from the elevated end thereof, a feed roll having itsbottom extremity` arranged approximately in the plane of the uppersurface of a sheet supported on said rollers and engageable with thesheet, means for rotating said feed roll to effect horizontal movementof the sheet, a pair of pinch rolls engageable with the advancing edgeof the sheet, and means for rotating said pinch rolls at the sameperipheral speed as said feed roll.

7. A sheet handling apparatus comprising vacuum cup means movable-downwardly into engagement with the upper surface of a sheet adjacentone end portion thereof and then upwardly to elevate such end portion ofthe sheet, supporting means movable beneath the sheet from the elevatedend thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup means from the sheetafter the latter is supported by said supporting means, a feed rollhaving its bottom extremity arranged approximately in the plane of theupper surface ofl a sheet supported by said supporting means, and meansfor rotating said feed roll.

8. A sheet handling apparatus comprising vacuum cup means movabledownwardlyinto engagement with the uppersurface of a sheet adjacent oneend portion thereof and then upwardly to elevate such end portion of thesheet, supporting means movable beneath the sheet from the elevated endthereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup means from the sheet afterthe latter is supported by said supporting means, a feed roll having itsbottomextremity arranged approximately in the plane of the upper surfaceof a sheet supported by said supporting means, means for rotating saidfeed roll to effect horizontal movement of the sheet,

a pair of pinch rolls arranged in the path of movement of the sheet andengageable with the advancing edge thereof, and means for rotating saidpinch rolls at the same peripheral speed as said feed roll.

9. A sheet handling apparatus comprising vacuum cup means movabledownwardly into engagement with the upper surface of a sheet adjacentone end portion thereof and then upwardly to elevate such end portion ofthe sheet, a plurality of supporting rollers `connected for bodilymovement in parallel relationship and movable to a position beneath thesheet from the elevated end thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cupmeans from the sheet after said rollers have moved therebeneath, a feedroll arranged with its bottom extremity approximately in the plane ofthe upper surface of the sheet supported on said rollers and arrangedparallel to the latter, and means for rotating said feed roll.

10. A sheet handling apparatus comprising vacuum cup means movabledownwardly into engagement with the upper surface of a sheet adjacentone end portion thereof vand then upwardly. to elevate such end portionof the sheet, a plurality of supporting rollers connected for bodily'movement in parallel relationship and movable to a position beneath thesheet from the elevated end-thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cupmeans from the sheet after said rollershavemoved therebeneath, a feedroll arranged with its bottom extremity approximately in the plane ofthe upper surface of the sheet supported-on said rollers and arrangedparallel to the latter, means for rotating said feed roll toeifecthorizontal movement of the sheet, a pair of pinch rolls arrangedparallel to said feed roll and engageable with the advancing edge of thesheet, and means for rotating said pinch rolls at the same peripheralspeed as said feed roll.

11. A sheet handling apparatus comprising a vacuum cup, means foreifecting a cycle o f operation of said cup downwardly from a normalposition into engagement with the upper surface of asheet adjacent` oneend portion thereof and then upwardly to such normal position to elevatesuch end portion of the sheet, a plurality of supporting rollersconnected together for bodily parallel movement, means for effectingmovement of said rollers to positions beneath the sheet from theelevated end thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup from the sheetwhen said rollers are arranged therebeneath, and a feed roll having itsbottom extremity arranged approximately in the plane of the uppersurface of a sheet supported on said rollers and engageable with thesheet, and means for rotating said' feed roll.

12. A sheet handling apparatus comprising a vacuum cup, means' foreffecting a cycle of operation of said cupdownwardly from a normalposition into engagement with the upper surface of a sheet adjacent oneend portion thereof and then upwardly to such normal position to elevatesuch end portion of the sheet, a plurality of supporting rollersconnected together for bodily parallel movement, means for effectingmovement of said rollers to positions beneath the sheet from theelevated end thereof, means for releasing said vacuum cup from the sheetwhen said rollers are arranged therebeneath, a feed roll arrangedparallel to said supporting rollers and engageable with the uppersurface of a sheet supported thereon and operatfive for moving the sheethorizontally, a pair of pinch rolls arranged parallel to said feed rolland engageable with the advancing edge of the sheet, and means forrotating said feed roll and said pinch rolls at equal peripheral speeds.

13. A Asheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an endportion of a sheet to elevate said end portion, a plurality of freelyrotatable supporting rollers connected together for bodily movement `inparallel relationship, means for moving said rollers beneath the sheetfrom the elevated end thereof to an operative position effectingcomplete elevation of said sheet, means for effecting removal of saidsheet from the supporting rollers, andholding means for preventingmovement of the supporting rollers from operative position until afterremoval of the sheet from said supporting rollers has been effected.

14. A sheet handling apparatus comprising l means engageable with an endportion of a sheet to elevate said end portion, a plurality of freelyrotatable supporting rollers connected together for bodily movement inparallel relationship, means for moving s'aid rollers beneath the sheetfrom the elevated end thereof to an operative position for effectingcomplete elevation of said` sheet, means for effecting removal of saidsheet from the supporting rollers, holding means for preventing movementof thesupporting rollers from operative position until after removal ofthe sheet from said supporting rollers has been enected, and meansautomatically operative thereafter for returning said supporting rollersto their initial position.

15. A sheet handling apparatus comprising a pair of spaced endlessmembers having upper and lower runs, a plurality of rollers supported inspaced parallel relationship by said endless members and freelyrotatable on their axes, means for supporting a pack of sheets beneaththe lower runs of said endless members, means for elevating one end ofthe upper sheet of the pack, means for operating said endless members tomove said rollers from the upper runs of said endless members to thelower runs thereof beneath the elevated end of said sheet, and meansactuable independently of said last named means for imparting movementto said sheet supported on said rollers to remove it therefrom.

16. A sheet handling apparatus comprising a pair of spaced endlessmembers having upper and lower runs, a plurality of rollers supported inspaced parallel relationship by said endless members and freelyrotatable on their axes, means for supporting a pack of sheets beneaththe lower runs of said endless members, means for elevating one end'ofthe upper sheet of the pack, means for operating said endless members tomove said rollers from the upper runs of said endless members to thelower runs thereof beneath the elevated end of said sheet, automaticmeans for releasing said elevating means from said sheet when saidrollers aremoved entirely beneath said sheet, and means independent ofsaid operating means and engageable with the sheet after said elevatingmeans is released therefrom for effecting movement of the sheet fromsaid rollers.

17. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an endportion of a sheet to elevate it, supporting means movable horizontallyfrom the elevated end of the sheet to an operative position beneath thesheet, means for effecting movement of said supporting means to suchoperative position, means for stopping the movement of said supportingmeans in its operative position, and means engageable with the sheetwhile said supporting means remains in its operative position foreffecting horizontal movement of the sheet from said supporting means.

18. A sheet handling apparatus comprising means engageable with an endportion of a sheet to elevateit, supporting means bodily movablehorizontally from the elevated end of the sheet to an operative positionbeneath the sheet tol support the latter, and means engageable withnamedmeans inoperative when said rollers reach operative position, and meansrendered operative upon operation of said last named means for eiectinghorizontal movement of the sheet from said supporting rollers.

LEWIS JONES.

